Vox AC30HW 212 Combo

Price Paid: US $3200

Features: N/A
N/A

Sound Quality: 10
This is a follow up review after using the amp for over two years now. Best ever AC30. Bought another one of these.

Reliability: 10
I have used the amp for over two years, at least 260 gigs, stays in the equipment truck, no road case, just a cover. As expected zero problems. Only maintenance: Changed output tubes twice. Ei's.

Customer Support: N/A
Don't need it

Overall Rating: 10
Still solid 10's all the way around. Simply a great amp. Bought another one.

Submitted by bill at 12/22/2005 15:19

Price Paid: US $2600 Used

Features: 8
Single Top Boost channel with added 2-knob Reverb,Tremelo, and Master Volume.

Sound Quality: 9
I'm using this amp with both a 57' reissue Strat loaded with Custom Shop 54' pickups, and a stock 61' reissue Gibson SG. Effects include an EH Deluxe Memory Man, Fulltone 69' Fuzz, Bad Bob Booster, and a reissue MXR Dynacomp. The amp sounds equally great with both guitars. With the strat I get a wonderfully detailed sound, sweet chimey highs and great but not overwhelming lows. The SG is really able to push the amp into surprisingly high gain realms. The Celestion Blues always keep the sound detailed with absolutely no fizz or farting out.
The Reverb is more subtle than that found on Fender amps, but great sounding nonetheless. The tone knob acts almost as a second dwell control as well. The tremolo does the job, but honestly is nowhere near as complex as the original. Different circuit I realize.

Reliability: 10
Excellent. Over two years with no problems whatsoever. I haved owned the TBX reissue- actually two of them- and they were a nightmare.

Customer Support: 10
I called them once for a Owners Manual as well as for a footswitch. They were very helpful both times.

Overall Rating: 9
I love it. Sometimes I feel it's too much amp for me, but I know I would kick myself if I ever sold it.

Submitted by Sir EL84 at 08/24/2005 06:26

Price Paid: US $2800 used

Features: 10
Great add on features compared to the origiginals. Reverb and a master volume added on. Got rid of extra channels which I never used. Trem now on tob boost channel - makes sense.

Sound Quality: 10
It's all about class A sound I say and no amp does it better then this amp! They really took this amp to a different level and changed the character of this amp and gave it a little more of a more modern personality to it - I just love it! I would rate it an 11 if I could.

Reliability: 10
Seems like it's built like a tank with good quality parts.

Customer Support: 10
People seem to know there stuff and have been quite helpfull.

Overall Rating: 10
Would rate this amp an 11 if I could - love the tone of this amp. Don't just think beatles this amp does absolutely everything! Got to now find myself a back up one to gig with.

Submitted by Anonymous at 07/30/2005 03:33

Price Paid: US $3000

Features: 10
Single top boost channel from the originals with the addition of a master volume, reverb and a much better tremolo. Great improvemnts and the single channel is all you need.

Sound Quality: 10
I have has many, many, many amps and have to say this is the best sounding amp I have ever owned. I love class A amps and no other manufacturer touches this baby! Mind you they are the ones that invented the whole craze. Boogies, and all the boutique stuff soesn't come close. As well the celestion blues just sound so mucial and chimey. Would rate 11 here if possible.

Reliability: 10
Built like a tank! ALl components seem to be of greater quality - knobs, pots, transformers, tubes etc.

Customer Support: 10
Support has been great so far. Really good at answering questions.

Overall Rating: 10
Worth every buck. I am already in the market for a back-up one incase anything ever happens to this one. Great job to Vox/ Marshall on this limited run model.

Submitted by Anonymous at 07/10/2005 03:29

Price Paid: US $2900

Features: 10
Great improvements from the originals. Trem, reverb and even a master volume.

Sound Quality: 10
KILLER! Would type in forever to describe how much great tone this amp has.

Reliability: 10
Built like a tank just like the originals. Basketwaeve tolex looks amazing but you must be carefull as it tears quite easily.

Customer Support: 10
Local support is great.

Overall Rating: 10
Hands down this amp is a keeper in my collection. If it was stolen I would definitely have to replace it with another. Now that the so called ciustom classics are coming out of China I am sure these rare handwired collectible ones will go up in value. I tried a Chinese one and they are great bang for your buck but not nearly in the same league as these handwired ones made from the Marshall factory.

Submitted by tonebone at 07/02/2005 05:54

Price Paid: US $2800.00

Features: 10
This is a great amp, with the best features of the AC15 "reissue" (master volume, reverb, tremolo), the power to handle big gigs, but the ability to sound great at bedroom volume. Reverb tone switch actually is nice---I prefer the darker tone to the brighter "surf" reverbs, and this unit delivers both well. Tremolo is better sounding than the AC15, which was better than the Fenders in my opinion. Tone cut, is handy I suppose, but I tend to prefer in your face sounds ala Marshall, so I rarely cut the tone (presence) more than a tad. As is true with the AC15, the natural tones are so good, that you don't really want to use effects unless you must for a particular song, so no need for an effects loop for me.

Sound Quality: 10
I play blues based rock, with a touch of Van Halen style noodling, primarily using a Big Apple strat with Seymour Duncans. Amp works fine regardless of the pickup combination used, but I find myself drawn to the neck single coil, to get a semi clean tone. 335 delivers the goods as does gold top Les Paul. Distortion isn't brutal--it's very defined and articulate in the mid range, so if you set the interactive tone controls right, you get a lot of non-fuzzy distortion, which still allows the individual notes of a power chord to ring out. Amp can tend to be bright, even with bass up high, but dialing back the treble a bit, or adding just a touch of tone cut, handles this issue well. Loud volumes can be clean as you like, or dirty, since the preamp and master volumes, coupled with the loud class A watts, give you all the choices for sound. But the roaring feedback/harmonics aren't the default overdriven sound of this amp, unlike a Marshall, so those sounds come from a nice pedal (for me it's a Chandler tube drive), which pushes the front end hard.

Reliability: N/A
It's relatively new (2003) and appears very durable, though the tolex is a bit fragile. First thing I realized after trying it out was, I never want to part with it, and as a result, if I wanted to gig with it, I needed a road case. For me, it's an investment, but even more so, it is the amp you want to use as your main rig, so I hope the road case keeps keeps this amp cosmetically clean and functionally reliable.

Customer Support: N/A
No dealings with the company, so no opinion.

Overall Rating: 10
I've been playing for 35 years, electric for about the last 20. I own a Marshall JCM 800 50 watt half stack, 1964 Fender twin, Rivera fifty five twelve, Vox AC15, '87 Blackie strat, '94? Big Apple Strat, '83 Gold top Les Paul, '76 Gibson ES335, Tayor, Gibson, Guild, Larrivee acoustics. I would definitely replace this amp, as I would the AC15--they are both the real deal Vox tones, and in my opinion, there's no points in buying something else to get this sound. With my other amps, I have the flavors I want for rock, blues, jazz, and don't need anything else (no grunge, rap, disco, death metal)

Submitted by plankspanker at 06/27/2005 13:19

Price Paid: US $2100

Features: N/A
I purchased this amp from Zzounds at a discount. Apparently, it had to be sold as damaged because the box was damaged. However, the amp was in perfect shape. What good fortune. This amp is very versatile. It is different from the originals as far as channels and such, but I'm not too worried about it. It sounds great. I do kind of wish it had an effects loop, but if they left it out in deference for circuit simplicity, I'm fine with that. I use this amp primarily as a clean amp in a two-amp setup including an Orange 1d-140tc/Orange 4x12. It has just enough clean headroom to play high volume gigs.

Sound Quality: 10
Probably one of the best (if not the best) sounding amps I have ever played, which include a 69' plexi, 66 twin reverb, etc. It was designed and built with one thing in mind; producing an amp that could yield all of the classic vox sounds faithfully in one amp. It has a master volume, which allows you to get an amazing grind at non ear-splitting levels. I play in a band that is a modern rock of the style of radiohead/themarsvolta/interpol, etc., and this is my clean. ...and it sounds glorious. I need to get one of the new custom classic amps so I can retire this one from the road. I am insane for even thinking of taking it on the road. I think there only like 250 of these made? The distortion is not really brutal. It is smooooth.

Reliability: 10
No problems so far.

Customer Support: N/A

Overall Rating: 10
Amazing amp.

Submitted by spoonie at 06/03/2005 08:07

Price Paid: N/A

Features: 8
I bought this amp about two years ago (2003). The amp is extremely versatile, and works well for just about anything - blues, alternative rock, which is what I play. It provides only the top boost channel from the original AC30, but I find I don't miss the other channel at all.

One thing that does gripe me, is that it does not have an effects loop! This would have made it so much more versatile... right now, if you use delays prior to input, but you have the preamp cranked up, the delays become mush - it doesn't allow for that spacious sound you get when you put the delays in a loop, or after the preamp stage somehow... I might even have the amp modified at some point if it's possible...

The amp can get loud if you want it to - it doesn't scream like my Fender Tonemaster - but then the amount of available power is not really comparable (the Tonemaster has 100W if I remember right). For most uses, the AC30 volume is easily enough - when it gets loud, it sounds even better - the tube sag is wonderful!

Lastly, the amp has a tube reverb and tube tremolo. The tremolo gives speed, and depth control... the reverb has depth and tone.

I give this amp an 8 on features - the addition of an FX loop would have earned it a 10.

Sound Quality: 10
This is probably the single best sounding amp I have ever heard! The tone is unbeleivably smooth - it is quiet - it's awesome. I really like the distortion when it's cranked - it's so creamy sounding. The drummer in my band doesn't care for the distortion too much - he prefers the Fender, but he really loves the clean tone from the AC30. The clean tone is unbeleivable... it is really chimey - it has a nice thick low end, and the high end really shines. It has a really smooth sound - one of the most refined sounds I have ever heard. It can get really punchy if you play that way... it's just gorgeous.

I actually bought one of the new Vox custom classic amps (the CC2X with Celestian Blues). I have A/B tested these amps many times - I was trying to decide whether to sell one of them. As far as tone, the Hand-wired model takes the cake. They do sound very similar, but the HW model is just smoother - it sounds more delicate - more tasteful. It does rock just as well as the CC, but it just "sings" a bit better in my opinion.

As far as the reverb goes... the HW is awesome! It is so thick and warm sounding... it blends perfectly with the sound without diminishing any of the tone... it really makes the sound fat... even with the depth knob all the way up - which is a bit too much reverb for my taste - the sound is still brilliant. Compared with the CC, the HW reverb blows it away. This is one of the major shortcomings of the CC... the reverb just doesn't compare with the HW... it doesn't go as deep... it doesn't blend with the sound as well - it just doesn't have the same quality of sound.

As far as the tremolo - I also prefer the tremolo on the HW to the CC. It can go a little bit faster than the custom classic, and has a nicer tone. The difference is more subtle that the reverbs on the two amps... I do still slightly prefer the tremolo on the HW though.

I play a Gibson ES-335, a Rickenbacker 360/12, and hopefully very soon a Gretsch 6136! Right now, the amp probably sounds best with the Rick... the 335 is really nice through it too though. If you want about the smoothest, thickest tone in the world, just combine those two. For a really fat, refined jazzy sound, it's a great combination. The distortion is a little bit too round sounding with the 335 to me though. The rick 12-string distorted is heavenly! I can't wait to hear this amp with the Gretsch when it gets here (it's on order).

Reliability: 10
So far, this amp has been rock solid. I haven't had a single problem whatsoever...

I was a little bit annoyed when I first received the amp... there were indentations that had cracked the black covering on the amp on each side (right on the front of the amp). It looked like it had been banded with a bunch of other amps somehow, and somebody cranked the banding too tight... it wasn't too bad, but was kind of an annoyance when I paid so much for this amp brand new...

As far as the construction and design of the amp though, it is solid! Not a single issue.

Customer Support: N/A
I have had no need to even contact the company... hopefully I don't need to. I can't remember how long the warranty goes, but hopefully I won't need to worry about that either. Like I said before, the amp construction seems solid so far.

Overall Rating: 10
I think I paid about $3000 for this amp... maybe $3100 - I can't remember. Anyway, it was probably about the best $3000 I have ever spent. If the amp were lost or stolen, I would probably sit in a corner and cry because I don't know if I could ever find one again... I'd had to search Ebay every day waiting. I suppose the CC would have to suit me in the meantime - the CC is still a great amp - it's just not quite on the level of the HW in my opinion. What can I say - this amp absolutely rocks! If it only had an FX loop I'd be in heaven - still, it is so good, I can't give it any less than a 10 overall!

Submitted by Todd at 05/30/2005 14:14

Price Paid: US $3200

Features: 10
Wow, what can I say I loved the regular model but when I heard they came out with a limited run of hand wired models with reverb and master volume all on one channel, the few dollars in price was not even a consideration.

Sound Quality: 10
As much as people think this amp is all beatles I disagree. This amp is just a great sounding amp regardless of styles of music. The clean tone is amazing, and those speakers are in a league of there own. This amp is also super quiet as well which is something I was always impressed with.

Reliability: 10
Built like a bloody tank!

Customer Support: 10
Local support is very good!

Overall Rating: 10
I will never let go of this one. What ever it costs I would have to replace it. It's too bad Korg has stopped production of the Vox's in the UK and will do everything out of Japan so it makes it even that much more of a keeper.

Submitted by Anonymous at 10/15/2004 09:37

Price Paid: US $3200

Features: 10
This is a beautiful amp. The "features" are in its tone, but you have to be able (or willing) to use your guitar volume to clean up the tone. I'll run it with the volume near 7, for a dirty riff sound when I need it, but back the volume down for clarity. Works like a charm. Then just get a good stomp box in the line and you're all set. An effects loop might be the only al thing someone might ask for, but the tone is all that you should be worrying about. Or not worrying about--with this one, you have tone tone tone.

Sound Quality: 10
Several guitars--a Les Paul and a Strat mostly. I played a big band jazz gig (four trumpets, three trombones, five or six saxes, bass, piano, drums) outside, and I still had to turn down because it was a little too clear all the way to the back. Lots of presence. With the Strat, I can play more modern jazz or turn up for a blues. It's all good. Again, if you want a lot of distortion, you'll probably have to use a signal booster or distortion box to get extreme. But the clean tones are just gorgeous and prove that volume doesn't equal tone. Tone is all that you want.

Reliability: 10
As others mentioned, this is built like a tube tank. If it breaks, someone can fix it. In 50 years, it'll still be around and kicking the butt of your great grandkids.

Customer Support: 10
The footswitch went bad on me. The store fixed it. No other problems.

Overall Rating: 10
I am way old. Born in the fifties, playing since the seventies in many bands, many theater productions since I read music and play it musically as well. I love the Beatles, but oddly, they are too sacred for me to play a lot of. That's how Clapton used to feel about R. Johnson, and I love them too much to mess with. But not always--I play some of their tunes. Anyway, the point is that this is the amp that made them famous, and it's so fine, and I'm so glad that it's my little amp. It's so fine, I'm telling all the world. I also have a MB Mark IIc, a MB Nomad, a Fender blackface Bandmaster and a Soldano Hot Rod 50. All fine amps and each is used, but this one is growing on me. If it was stolen or lost I'd find another. what's it missing? Well, I accept it on its own terms, and the other amps have switching and loops galore (except the Fender). Okay, maybe just some form of progressive gain switching, but I can live without it if it would mean messing with the tone.

Submitted by SID at 07/12/2004 22:49